United Kingdom

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was the first foreign leader received by Britain's new prime minister Andy Burnham, who used the naval base meeting on 27 July to harden his language toward Moscow and to promise Kyiv the rights to a British electronic warfare system. A day later Zelensky is due at the White House, where a US official quoted by CNN says it is time to end the war. In the background, the Trump administration has told Congress that $400m in approved assistance will not be fully delivered before fiscal 2029, while Kazakhstan's president publicly urged Vladimir Putin to freeze the conflict.

Geopolitics

The Bank of England is expected to leave interest rates unchanged despite the jump in oil prices, while signalling a possible move if the war continues, according to the Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal. The Monetary Authority of Singapore tightened policy on Monday for the second time in three months, citing volatile global energy markets and elevated inflation risks linked to the US war against Iran, the South China Morning Post reports.

Economy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited a British naval base on Monday as the first foreign leader received by new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office on 20 July. London announced it would hand Kyiv the intellectual property behind its "Stone Cloak" electronic jammer so Ukraine can produce it at scale. The visit precedes a meeting between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday, while the Kremlin said it was too early to comment on reported US-Ukrainian talks about an air ceasefire.

Geopolitics

Andy Burnham assumed office as Britain's prime minister on 20 July, the first premier from the north of England since Harold Wilson half a century ago. His first week brought a restored £2 bus fare cap, a VAT cut on household electricity and a Manchester branch of Downing Street. Critics on the British right and among ousted ministers call the measures unfunded and gestural; early polling suggests voters welcome them.

Geopolitics

Scotland Yard is investigating two donations of £250,000 made to Reform UK by Britain Means Business before the 2024 election, the Guardian reports. The payments were first revealed by the newspaper.

Geopolitics

Production at Rosebank, Britain's biggest undeveloped oil and gas field, could be delayed for months after equipment was accidentally dropped in the sea, according to a Guardian exclusive. The incident comes as the government considers granting a licence for the field.

Economy

Washington imposed new duties of 10% to 12.5% on more than 60 economies at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, 24 July 2026, the moment its previous universal 10% tariff expired. The White House based the measures on Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and on allegations that the targeted countries fail to enforce bans on goods made with forced labour. Trading partners from the EU to China, Brazil and Australia objected, and US small businesses filed suit the same day.

Economy

A 20 percent business-rates reduction described by the Guardian as one of Andy Burnham's first measures as prime minister, including a £100m giveaway, prioritises venues that sell alcohol. Cafe owners in England say their exclusion is unfair, while landlords told the paper that high operating costs outweigh the potential savings.

Economy